The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-23
RUNINTHE GANG'SINTEREST
Some of the Shameful Abuses in the Man.
agement of the Insane Hospital.
How Inscriptions Men Run the Institution
in the Interest Of Contractors and Politl-
clans Regardless of the Patients.


pita1 for the Insane by drunk at the store
keepers quarters, but the celebration marked a
new era. or, rather, return to that glorious
epoch in the Harrison apen management des-
ignated as before the Investigation" With the
the acquittal of this branch of the gang the
Harrison Gapen management thanked their
lucky stars and took courage. They picked up
their long dashed rattlesnake whip and cracked
it louder and fercer than ever before. They at
once began to let it be known that they were
now ready to proceed upon their long deferred IN
tention of rewardIng friends and punlsnlng
those whom they considered enemies. The men
to whose tender mercies fourteen hundred IN
sane people consigned hold as their enemies
those attendants and other employees who testl-
fed truthfully before the House investigating
committee last winter, and az their friends
those who artfully concealed the truth Inc
hospital is in a worse condition than it has
ever been. notwithstanding the efforts OF super
intendent Fletcher to keep politics and the care
of the insane as widely separated as possible.
The employees divided irto two classes
those who are momen tarlly expectlpg to DC ols-
charged for the that their testimony
did not suit Harrison and Gapen, and those that,
believing themselves to be solid with the manage
ment. are lubi.ant and offensive. during th's
month more employees have quit the institution
than during any corresponding period since the
hospital was established,
Hail. the steward, who. was brought out IN
the investigation last winter, bought snow SHOW
els in August. now plays the role of Poo Bah for
the institution. He is steward, book-keeper,
store keeper, and half dozen other things
There good reason for the recent discharge
of the assistant book and store-keeper. He was
a check on the store keeper. The store keeper
received the goods and the books of the as
sistant had to correspond with Halls books To
get rid of this troublesome check the offices
have been given to Poo Bah Hall.
A short time after Mr. Roth, ex-assistant
book keeper, had been subpnnaed to testify be-
fore the investigating committee last winter, and
before he had given in mis- evidence, he was
called by Dr. Thomas into his room at the hos
pital. The Doctor attempted to dssuade Mr..
Roth from testfying and told him his evidence
would no: be corroborated. Mr.. Roth, however
said he intended to go on the stand and tell the
truth. He did so and lost his place and IN los
ing him the hospital lost the services of the
most efficient man ever in the store-room.
On the first of November next the law for the
continuance appropriation" as it is Called will
come in. Under that law the superintendent is
obliged to sign all bills and vouchers and the
trustees can do nothing without his signature.
This reason for Harrison and Gapens de-
sire 10 get rid of DR.. Fletcher.
Every now and then among the cruel blum
ders and mismanagements there occur things
so absurd to move to laughter. There is
beautiful dairy barn on the premises that cost
about $40, 900. The cost of painting it
nearly 500. few months ago. Steward Hall.
looking about for something to do, concluded to
whitewash that barn-over the pal ut and ALL He
had the building about half whtewashed when
the superin tendent, with great difficulty, sue
ceeded in stopping the work.
Thomas Stewart a capable engineer who has
served the hospital for three years. has been
discharged Mr. Stewart a witness before
the investigating committee. He didn't say
much, but it enough to warrant his dis
charge. After he took his departure the repair
who attends to the steam fit
ting was given charge of the furnaces
aud engines in addition to his other
duties This is likely to prove dangerous when
cold weather comes on, as it is too much work
for one man. and the bad condition of the boilers
does make the danger of explosion very
mote. Superintendent Fletcher has had two of
the boilers repaired. against the wishes of the
board and without their orders, as he was afraid
of explosions Other boilers there are danger
Gus under slight rise in pressure.
The issue of food has been reduced to the
minimum. The board is economizing and the
bill of fare is below former ratons There is
considerable complaint on this account from the
patients.
The frame carpenter-shop sold to the
trustees of Wayne township some time in June
No account of the transaction appears in the
books up to date. Last April the swill
of the hospital was sold for one
feed hogs at the McCaslin farm
It said there is nothing in the records to show
that { nv payment has been made this
tract There is large amount of waste and old
junk ABOUT establishment that holds nearly
two thousand persons. and some things of which
account is taken will make several hundred
dollars annually to snrewd and not over
scrupulous person.
{on r
F. NJ Howard. for fifty dollars. for services"
There is nothing to show what these services
were. It is the talk at the hospital that Super
intendent Fletcher's place is to go to either DR..
Howard or DR.. Galbraith. Howard was a mem
Der of the Legislature Senator from Decatur
county DR.. Thomas has been scheming for
DR.. Fletcher's place. and his political serv-
ices in organizing the ampaign club |
of Wayne township seemed for time TO give |
him great prominence Now it is considered |
likely that when DR.. Fletcher is turned out DR.. |
Thomas will be given the place of superintend- |
ent pro tenn, after which the board will elect |
somebody to the place Gapen and Howard |
were in business together in Arkansas, and it is
to give Howard place A little |
story is told in this connection. How |
ard has long been anxious to get a foothold |
in the institution. He wanted DR.. Brownings |
place a stepping stone to the superlntendency,
and efforts were made by the trustees TO force |
DR. Browning to resign in favor of Howard: |
This DIR. Browning refused to do. But Howard |
got anxious. and, last April May, came out |
one night with his valse to take DR.. Brownings |
place assistant But the place had not been |
vacated.
Trustee Burrell, who is allowed to say very |
little about the institution. and to do much less,
is attached to Dr. Galbraith's interest as success
sor to DIR. Fletcher Mr.. Burrell wants the |
nomination for circuit judge down in his part of |
the country. and the Galbralth family have |
sufficient political influence to give it to him.
MILLESS AGAIN HEARD FROM.